HMS FERTILE VALE

Protected Area

Tayport - Tentsmuir Coast

Why dive here

With 112+ marine species recorded in the area - including dolphins, dwarf minke whales, humpback whales, ocean sunfish (mola mola) and orcas - HMS FERTILE VALE offers some of Scottish East Coast & Borders's richest wreck diving.

Marine lifeDolphins, Dwarf Minke Whales, Humpback Whales, Ocean Sunfish (Mola Mola) and Orcas · 112+ species recorded

CharacterWreck dive · max 8m

StandoutRich in charismatic marine life

The HMS Fertile Vale, an old drifter sunk in 1941, really is a cracker of a dive for the Scottish East Coast. At only 8 metres, it’s a brilliant introduction to wreck diving here, especially if you usually stick to the warmer stuff. We love the way the ship’s structure is still largely intact, despite sitting on the seabed for so long. You can trace the outline of the vessel easily, seeing where the deckhouse would have been, and parts of the hull still stand proud. It’s not just a pile of rubble; there’s a real sense of its former life. Our favourite part is poking around the bow, where the anchor chain still lies, now completely encrusted with dead man's fingers. Ling often hide out here, and you’ll spot velvet swimming crabs scuttling over the plates. The visibility can be hit-or-miss, as with much of the UK, but on a good day, the green light filters through, illuminating the anemones and soft corals that have colonised every surface. It’s a proper historical piece, perfectly suited for new wreck divers or photographers wanting to capture that moody, North Sea vibe. Just keep an eye on the tides; the currents here can be surprisingly brisk, even at this shallow depth.